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“Yeah, a ridiculouswinnerrrrrrr,” I sang, still dancing on the bed.

“You’re going to be completely insufferable forever, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Yup. Never going to let you forget it.”

I flopped back down on the bed because I was out of breath from the jumping. I crouched on my knees and approached Echo and got right in her face.

“We wonnnnnnn,” I said, and she cracked another smile.

“You’re such a pain in the ass.”

“A little ass pain never hurt anyone.” I stared deep into her eyes and tried not to blink. Hers were so pretty.

Echo was the first to close her eyes, but it was to kiss me, and I kissed her back. The food was forgotten as we lay back on the bed together, kissing and touching each other. This time, we were unhurried. I wondered what it would be like to have uninterrupted time with her, to touch and explore. All of our moments had been with a specter hanging over us. A time limit. What would it be like with all those barriers gone?

She broke the kiss.

“What are you thinking about? I can tell you’re thinking about something.” My fingers drifted through her hair. She’d worn it down and it was perfect.

“I was just thinking about what it could be like, without worrying about being caught. That’s all we’ve ever been, these little hookups.” Would we even have anything if the thrill of doing something bad was no longer a factor?

“Do you want more?”

“It depends on if it’s what you want.”

Echo snorted. “I asked you first.”

“I mean . . . yes? I think we could try it. See how things go. I just worry about getting my heart broken, as silly as that sounds.”

She stroked the side of my face.

“That’s not silly at all. I’m scared of the same thing. But we won’t know if we don’t try, right? No risk, no reward.” She was right. I was always telling my cheerleaders that they needed to go for it, and here I was, not taking my own advice.

“So you want to? To give it a try? Put everything behind us and be my girl?” I made a face at the last part. “Sorry, that sounded better in my head. You will learn this, I am not as smooth as I would like to be.”

I wasn’t smooth at all, but I didn’t need her to know that just yet.

“I think you’re pretty smooth sometimes, Kiri. You’ve got a lot going on,” she said.

I didn’t know about that, but the compliment made me blush.

“You should probably get back to your room. Loser.” I added the last part and she smacked me on the ass.

“Is that supposed to be a punishment? Because it’s definitely not.” I rolled onto my stomach. “Do it again.”

Echo groaned and stood up.

“I’m not going to spank you because that’s the only way you’ll learn. It’s for you own good.” I looked up at her and pouted.

“Meanie.”

She leaned down and gave me a hot kiss before standing back up.

“The meanest.”